Good Morning from the PACIFIC PRINCESS

[LA_FadeAway]

Toto, have you noticed whether or not they are selling "ultimate cards" on your cruise? If so, are they allowing adults to purchase them? Do you know the price? Are all juices and mocktails still included or is it just strawberry and strawberry-banana smoothies now as someone mentioned on another post?

 

Thanks again for keeping us updated!!

[Toto2Kansas]

Last day in Bora Bora, And it was fantastic. Still lots of sunshine, the water was even warmer than yesterday, and our visit to Lara's OWB was GREAT. They are smallish (compared to our suite) and not sure if I would want to spend more than a couple of days in one (probably just us on that point though). The CC group and a few other friends made along the way spent several hours visiting and swimming. I took a few pictures, but I probably should have taken more. Not sure though if I would pay the price for something like this, but with hotel points, not a bad deal at all. ;)

 

 

 

We walked over to Matira Beach to catch the shuttle back to the ship, decided not to make another stop at Bloody Marys though as we were getting hungry and we really needed a shower. A small group of children and their parents were there, the same ones we ran into yesterday that I had given Tootsie Pops too. Well, I just happened to have a few more I stuck in my bag this AM, just in case we ran into others. I walked over and gave each of the kids another lolly pop and the largest boy ran over to their truck (it seems they were selling cold drinks to the tourists) and he handed me a fresh coconut, really cold from an ice chest, with a straw in it. Smiled and said thank you in French. Evidentally two days of suckers for his brothers and sisters was enough for him to want to thank me for the gesture. I tried to pay him but he wouldnt' accept it, so I bought one for my husband to make it up to them a little bit.

 

I couldn't resist taking a picture of my drink with the gorgeous background (as before) while we sit anchored in Bora Bora.

[Toto2Kansas]

I have not heard mention of the ultimate card anywhere onboard. That doesn't mean it isn't offered or available (all I have seen is the soda sticker so far), but I have seen no signs or anyone attempting to use the ultimate card. I will try to remember to ask about it this evening though................just remember, I am partially brain dead right now, so I will TRY to remember. ;)

[Seal]

the 2 we've stayed innn OWB's were the same but in different places--room enough for 2--but you're right not as big as the suite--our had a small living room with couch, desk-frig with tv on top----coffee table to feed fish--deck of living room--king sized bed in bedroom--closet in bathroom--shower that sprays all over---YES--you need to get the free night on the week-end and the guaranteed automatic up-grade--there must be larger ones but ours are only big enough for 2 people--it's a real thrill in one of the owb's with a good lightening storm with wind that seems as if it could peel away the side walls--definitely not for a group or even a small family.

 

Nancy:D

[JWJs]

Toto ~ thanks so much for posting such wonderful live reports on your fabulous cruise. Loved all the pictures. Great photography.

FYI.....After days of cool temps and rain here it's going to warm up to the 70s for a couple of days and then back to cool and rainy.

[laughing husky]

Sure have enjoyed the live. I have been lurking since the beginning......It sounds like a wonderful cruise....I would love to do it one of these days.....

[Toto2Kansas]

FYI.....After days of cool temps and rain here it's going to warm up to the 70s for a couple of days and then back to cool and rainy.

 

Thanks for the weather report. I have actually been checking online since I was informed it was snowing on the 10th of October back home. :eek: I could hardly believe it.

 

Hopefully, the nice weather will stay at least until we get home. After flying out of Papeete, we change planes in LAX, then Denver, then KC, then almost a 3 hour drive back home. The one that gets the most sleep on the flight is the designated driver. lol And lots of caffeine along the way.

[Toto2Kansas]

Back from the past passenger party. We made second most traveled. The first had the same number of cruises as we did, with 5 more days sailed then us.................that was a close one. ;)

 

Our CC friends on our roll call gave us a standing ovation..............<<<blushing>>>

 

Lots of past passengers, enough to fill the lounge, but not many Elite at all onboard. I guess the only way for us to make the top three again is to book Tahiti onboard the Royal Princess. ;) Already working on the DH for that one, but I think I will need a lotta luck to get him to return that quickly. Hopefully in another couple of years.

 

We did miss the sailaway because of the party, but were able to catch the sunset just barely, so all was not lost.

[Toto2Kansas]

the 2 we've stayed innn OWB's were the same but in different places--room enough for 2--but you're right not as big as the suite--our had a small living room with couch, desk-frig with tv on top----coffee table to feed fish--deck of living room--king sized bed in bedroom--closet in bathroom--shower that sprays all over---YES--you need to get the free night on the week-end and the guaranteed automatic up-grade--there must be larger ones but ours are only big enough for 2 people--it's a real thrill in one of the owb's with a good lightening storm with wind that seems as if it could peel away the side walls--definitely not for a group or even a small family.

 

Nancy:D

 

Nancy, Yep, that pretty well described the one we were at today. That shower was hilarious.............no walls, no curtain. I even said DH would have made a real mess of that bathroom if he were to shower there. The tub was large though. ;)

The hotel had very few guests, that is probably why they didn't mind we were all visiting. Most at least purchased a drink on the beach, so that did help. ;)

[Pia1913]

Back from the past passenger party. We made second most traveled. The first had the same number of cruises as we did, with 5 more days sailed then us.................that was a close one. ;)

 

Our CC friends on our roll call gave us a standing ovation..............<<<blushing>>>

 

Lots of past passengers, enough to fill the lounge, but not many Elite at all onboard. I guess the only way for us to make the top three again is to book Tahiti onboard the Royal Princess. ;) Already working on the DH for that one, but I think I will need a lotta luck to get him to return that quickly. Hopefully in another couple of years.

 

.

 

Or to have 90% of the passengers be from Europe. :D

[ellbon]

i can not believe you are taking that flight home. I always stay in LA for a night or two as the flying kills me.

 

 

Next summer I am staying in LA for 2 nights just to see one museum and not have to fly 12 hours home to NC.

[1 HappyCruiser]

How many days did it take to be selected for third position of the top three?

[Seal]

Can't thank you enough for your postings--really have enjoyed them !!!! About a month ago John called the IC and was told that they were full--we really found that surprising !!! We have very few days on Princess 179 (just looked it up)--but......have been invited to the Captains lunch our past 2 trips. which shows that most of the cruisers when we have cruised on the Tahitian were not Elite--in fact I think that we were Platinum both times we went--sure--we didn't win--but had a nice lunch--I enjoy it !!!!!

 

You got the right idea about that out in the open shower--need a lot of towels to sop up that mess--the tub is great !!!

 

Have a safe trip home--we're lucky on this one--only to lax

 

Nancy:D:D

[earljr]

Sue

 

Thanks for taking the time to post live. Congrats on the #2 spot.

Keep working on Jim, 2 yrs. between cruises is toooo long:)

[WeBeGone]

Thanks again Toto for your reports and photos. It brought back fond memories of our b2b 3 years ago.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

[Toto2Kansas]

Last actual day for us here on the island of Moorea (I am not fond of Papeete, so I don't count that one). We took a taxi to the IC beach, but the water was quite chilly this AM and there was quite a bit of cool wind. We watched the dolphins and walked around the property for a bit though. We decided to just head back to the ship so we could begin the packing process. I really hate this part when I am trying to pack in an hour or two what took me two weeks to pack before the cruise. Cranky best describes the feeling that has come over me right now. lol

 

Roni (the ass't MD) rubbed my palm for luck last night before I headed back down to the casino last night. :) :) It worked, and I came out with a few very good wins. I am definitely going to give him a nice tip this evening or tomorrow morning for all he had done for us, and of coarse passing on the luck. ;)

 

Suitcases are about packed, and of coarse my normal reward is another hour or two (depending) of casino time for me. The slots are open 24 hours now, even in port, although the cage and tables have to be closed unless we are out to sea. I was told this change came about a year ago that the Tahitian government will now allow it.

 

Still forgot to ask about the Ultimate card, but I will keep my eyes open tomorrow to see if there is any sign of it.

 

To answer a few questions. We always fly directly home. We don't mind the pre cruise stays, but when it's over, it's over for us and all we want to do is to get back home.

 

If I remember correctly, the third most traveled passenger had 238 days sailed. At the most traveled lucheon, the Elites were at the first three or four tables only, the rest of the those attending were platinum. One couple I spoke with had less than 150 days sailed and were invited.

 

I still am amazed at how few English speaking passengers are onboard this cruise. Sometimes there are only a few couples on the tender speaking English and the rest either spanish or French (most are French). I did find out that it is split, about half French Canadians, the other half directly from France. And I mean to tell you, these people DO NOT speak any English at all, which has made it a real work out for some of the staff onboard.

 

Well, time to organize all the computer equipment, cameras, charges, cell phone, and the rest. The packing is pretty much done, but the desk needs my attention.

 

I pre-purchased a package of internet minutes for both of us while our account is still active and have quite a few left for tomorrow, if they don't cut me off that is. So, I will either check in one last time later today or tomorrow, or will have to wait until we return home.

[chamima]

Last actual day for us here on the island of Moorea

 

I pre-purchased a package of internet minutes for both of us while our account is still active and have quite a few left for tomorrow, if they don't cut me off that is. So, I will either check in one last time later today or tomorrow, or will have to wait until we return home.

 

Don't you get unlimited internet because you're in a suite?

 

Thanks again for taking us with you on this cruise. (You will be back - We went to Tahiti 4 years ago and have thought of going back ever since. Have it booked finally for 2011)

[Seal]

Once again wishing you a safe trip home. When we leave the ship we also are on our way home--our plane leaves Papeete about 8:30 in the morning-- we'll see how easy/or difficult it will be to disembark when we need to--and find a cab--surely we're not the only ones who are flying Air France--we'll be in LA in by early evening--I hope--you mentioned the chilly wind--I've been surprised to notice that the temps tyhere aren't as warm as I remember or was that just humidity--might be smart if I pack a couple of windbreakers or something along that line--I bought a HP netbook--so far so good--the keyboard is resaonably easy to use.--love the weight.

 

Nancy :D:D

[Toto2Kansas]

Don't you get unlimited internet because you're in a suite?

 

Thanks again for taking us with you on this cruise. (You will be back - We went to Tahiti 4 years ago and have thought of going back ever since. Have it booked finally for 2011)

 

Good Evening from stuffy Papeete. ;)

 

Yes, we do get unlimited internet access, but we still have to purchase the package, It is credited back to our account after purchase, but it still shows up on our bill along with the credit. But Dorothy found (on the last cruise) that she had run out of minutes. And once your account is closed, you can not purchase any more, suite or no suite. So, I am trying the purchase thing before the account closes in the morning at 7:00 AM just to see if I have access during the day to use up the left over minutes.

 

I know last cruise, I was able to access the first cruise's internet account until about 9:00 PM the evening the passengers disembarked, then I had to again purchase another package for the following sailing after that time. So, just to check it out, I will see if the problem dorothy had was that she hadn't purchased another package of minutes to use that last day before her account was closed out.

 

WOW, Roni sure did give me a lot of luck. I went back to the casino this afternoon before sailing and another big win, and then again tonight with another. I have finally caught up to what I have lost the last 21 days, so that is a good thing. ;)

 

OK, time to run here and see if I have forgotten to pack anything. It's going to be a very long day tomorrow and we won't have a 'home' to speak of, so everything we might need must go into the carry ons. Argh! I really hate this part of this cruise, but I guess if all else fails, we can just keep eating. lol

 

Oh, and a few updates. We shared our champagne won at the Captain's Circle party the other night with Marco and Roni this evening. I asked Roni (ass't MD) about the ultimate card and the ice cream in the afternoon.

The Pacific DOES sell the ultimate card, but only for those 18 and under (and he was shocked to hear that some of the larger ships are selling it to adults). He says it IS supposed to be only for those under 18 years old, and he recently read the rules again on the card. So, just passing along what I was told.

And, although I haven't seen it as I wasn't looking, there is ice cream served at the buffet from 3:30-4:30 each afternoon with all the trimmings Roni told me.

Gotta run for now, it's getting late and morning will come early tomorrow for us.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Toto,

 

Thank you so, so much for your live from.

It has been really great.

 

Been there several times with Princess,

but from this part of the world ,

we have to do our own air,

which usually means a hotel,

both pre and post cruise.

 

Thats how it is.. and we just build it into the cost of the cruise,

but also means it is so much more relaxing for us,

as we dont have all the hassle of the lines at the airport,

and can embark and disembark in Papeete at leisure.

 

All the best for your flight home.

 

As you wing your way home,

trust your thoughts meander back to the

Islands of Paradise ,

and the wonderful days you have shared with us,

in Tahiti

[Toto2Kansas]

It's just before 9 AM here, we have checked out of our suite, and we only have 11 more hours to kill until we leave for the airport.:eek:

 

We went to the buffet for breakfast, as Sabatinis is closed this last morning, and it was just way too sunny to order room service on the balcony with the ship backed into the pier. But they still had a large glass of fresh squeezed OJ waiting for us upon arrival.

We sure are going to miss this happy crew, I don't think I have ever seen staff as content as they are onboard this ship. We find it a world of difference between these and the larger ships of the fleet. The staff seems to be having as much fun as the passengers, and they are just friendly beyond belief.

 

We had planned to do a bit of shopping this morning, but I have no place to put any purchases. Yes, I am packed to the max after 21 days. We may walk over to Le Marche later on, just to fill a bit of time, but the purchases will have to be small enough to fit in my purse.

 

Signing off for now, from the deck of the Pacific Princess on a warm sunny day in Papeete.

[regnig]

I'm so sad "our" cruise is over because I've certainly had a marvelous time. Many thanks for taking time out of your "vacation" days to keep up posted. Travel safely home.

 

Barb

[LA_FadeAway]

Have a safe trip home Toto. Thanks for checking on the Ultimate card and thank you so much for keeping us updated throughout your trip!

[sunsetbeachgal]

I have really enjoyed this thread-thank you so much for sharing your trip with us!

 

We have a 14 day cruise reserved on the Ocean Princess next fall...not in a lovely suite like yours, but I can't wait to see what Princess' small ship experience is like!